3,836 research outputs found
Cluster Dynamical Mean-Field Methods for d-wave Superconductors: the Role of Geometry
We compare the accuracy of two cluster extensions of Dynamical Mean-Field
Theory in describing d-wave superconductors, using as a reference model a
saddle-point t-J model which can be solved exactly in the thermodynamic limit
and at the same time reasonably describes the properties of high-temperature
superconductors. The two methods are Cellular Dynamical Mean-Field Theory,
which is based on a real-space perspective, and Dynamical Cluster
Approximation, which enforces a momentum-space picture by imposing periodic
boundary conditions on the cluster, as opposed to the open boundary conditions
of the first method. We consider the scaling of the methods for large cluster
size, but we also focus on the behavior for small clusters, such as those
accessible by means of present techniques, with particular emphasis on the
geometrical structure, which is definitely a relevant issue in small clusters.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figure
Rotationally-invariant slave-bosons for Strongly Correlated Superconductors
We extend the rotationally invariant formulation of the slave-boson method to
superconducting states. This generalization, building on the recent work by
Lechermann et al. [Phys. Rev. B {\bf 76}, 155102 (2007)], allows to study
superconductivity in strongly correlated systems. We apply the formalism to a
specific case of strongly correlated superconductivity, as that found in a
multi-orbital Hubbard model for alkali-doped fullerides, where the
superconducting pairing has phonic origin, yet it has been shown to be favored
by strong correlation owing to the symmetry of the interaction. The method
allows to treat on the same footing the strong correlation effects and the
interorbital interactions driving superconductivity, and to capture the physics
of strongly correlated superconductivity, in which the proximity to a Mott
transition favors the superconducting phenomenon.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figure
Glycometabolic Alterations in Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency: Does Replacement Therapy Play a Role?
Secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) is a potentially life-threatening endocrine disorder due to an impairment of corticotropin (ACTH) secretion from any process affecting the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. ACTH deficit can be isolated or associated with other pituitary failures (hypopituitarism). An increased mortality due to cardiovascular, metabolic, and infectious diseases has been described in both primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency. However, few studies have provided compelling evidences on the underlying mechanism in SAI, because of the heterogeneity of the condition. Recently, some studies suggested that inappropriate glucocorticoid (GCs) replacement therapy, as for dose and/or timing of administration, may play a role. Hypertension, insulin resistance, weight gain, visceral obesity, increased body mass index, metabolic syndrome, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia have all been associated with GC excess. These conditions are particularly significant when SAI coexists with other pituitary alterations, such as growth hormone deficiency, hypogonadism, and residual tumor. Novel regimen schemes and GC preparations have been introduced to improve compliance and better mimick endogenous cortisol rhythm. The controlled trials on the improved replacement therapies, albeit in the short-term, show some beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk, glucose metabolism, and quality of life. This review examines the current evidence from the available clinical trials investigating the association between different glucocorticoid replacement therapies (type, dose, frequency, and timing of treatment) and glycometabolic alterations in SAI
Immunohistochemical characterization of the anti-Müllerian hormone receptor type 2 (AMHR-2) in human testes
Purpose In males, AMH is secreted by immature Sertoli cells; following exposure to endogenous androgens, Sertoli cells undergo a process of maturation which ultimately inhibits AMH expression to undetectable levels in the serum. However, expression of AMH receptor (AMHR-2) has never been studied in human testes, and high intratubular concentrations of AMH have been reported in recent literature. We therefore assessed expression of AMHR-2 in several testicular tissue samples by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Methods The IHC method was first validated on tissue samples from healthy human testis (n = 2) and from marmoset ovary (n = 1). The same method was then used for assessment on testicular histopathology specimens from patients with mixed atrophy (MA, n = 2), spermatogenetic arrest (SA, n = 2), Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCO, n = 1), Klinefelter syndrome (KS, n = 1), and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT, n = 1). Tissue samples from two subjects at different pubertal stages (AndroProtect (AP), aged 5 and 14 years) with hematological malignancies were also retrieved. Results In adult men, AMHR-2 was expressed on peritubular mesenchymal cells, with patterns closely mirroring alpha-smooth muscle actin expression. Similar patterns were preserved in almost all conditions; however, in nonseminomatous germ cell tumors the tissue architecture was lost, including AMHR-2 expression. More positive and diffuse staining was observed in tissue samples from prepubertal testes. Conclusions In specimens from both healthy and affected testes, AMHR-2 expression appears weaker in adult than in prepubertal tissue sections. The persistence of AMHR-2 expression seemingly hints at a possible effect of intratesticular AMH on the tubular walls
Higgs-Mediated tau -> 3 mu in the Supersymmetric Seesaw Model
Recent observations of neutrino oscillations imply non-zero neutrino masses
and flavor violation in the lepton sector, most economically explained by the
seesaw mechanism. Within the context of supersymmetry, lepton flavor violation
(LFV) among the neutrinos can be communicated by renormalization group flow to
the sleptons and from there to the charged leptons. We show that LFV can appear
in the couplings of the neutral Higgs bosons, an effect that is strongly
enhanced at large tan(beta). In particular, we calculate the branching fraction
for tau -> 3 mu and mu -> 3 e mediated by Higgs and find that they can be as
large as 10^{-7} and 5x10^{-14} respectively. These modes, along with B^0 -> mu
mu, can provide important evidence for supersymmetry before direct discovery of
supersymmetric partners occurs. Along with tau -> mu gamma and mu -> e gamma,
they can also provide key insights into the form of the neutrino Yukawa mass
matrix.Comment: 9 pages LaTeX, 2 figures. Added a discussion of mu -> 3e and its
ramifications for probing neutrino mass matrix. Also added references, fixed
typos, and made one notational chang
Kaon physics with a high-intensity proton driver
We study opportunities for future high-precision experiments in kaon physics
using a high-intensity proton driver, which could be part of the front-end of a
muon storage ring complex. We discuss in particular the rare decays
, , , and
lepton-flavour violating modes such as and . The
outstanding physics potential and long-term interest of these modes is
emphasized. We review status and prospects of current and planned experiments
for the processes under consideration, and indicate possible improvements and
strategies towards achieving the necessary higher sensitivity. Finally, we
outline the machine requirements needed to perform these high-precision kaon
experiments in the context of a muon storage ring facility.Comment: 26 pages, 12 figures; report of the kaon physics working group for
the ECFA studies on neutrino factory and muon storage rings at CERN, G.
Buchalla (convener); references update
B_{s,d} -> l^+ l^- and K_L -> l^+ l^- in SUSY models with non-minimal sources of flavour mixing
We present a general analysis of B_{s,d}-> l^+ l^- and K_L -> l^+ l^- decays
in supersymmetric models with non-minimal sources of flavour mixing. In spite
of the existing constraints on off-diagonal squark mass terms, these modes
could still receive sizeable corrections, mainly because of Higgs-mediated
FCNCs arising at large tan(beta). The severe limits on scenarios with large
tan(beta) and non-negligible {tilde d}^i_{R(L)}-{d-tilde}^j_{R(L)} mixing
imposed by the present experimental bounds on these modes and Delta B=2
observables are discussed in detail. In particular, we show that scalar-current
contributions to K_L -> l^+ l^- and B-{bar B} mixing set non-trivial
constraints on the possibility that B_s -> l^+ l^- and B_d -> l^+ l^- receive
large corrections.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figures (v2: minor changes, published version
Chemical Constituents of the Aquatic Plant Schoenoplectus lacustris: Evaluation of Phytotoxic Effects on the Green Alga Selenastrum capricornutum.
Forty-nine secondary metabolites were isolated from aqueous and
alcoholic extracts of the aquatic plant Shoenoplectus lacustris. All compounds were characterized based on spectroscopic data. Eleven free and glycosylated low-molecular polyphenols, 17 cinnamic acid and dihydrocinnamic acid derivatives,
11 flavonoids, and 10 C13 nor-isoprenoids were identified. The structure of the new compound, 1-benzoyl-glycerol-2-a-L-arabinopyranoside, was elucidated by 2D NMR experiments (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY). To evaluate potential phytotoxic effects, all compounds were tested on the green alga Selenastrum capricornutum, a unicellular organism commonly used in tests of toxicity as a bioindicator of eutrophic sites. The most active compound was (j)-catechin, showing an inhibition similar to that of the algaecide CuSO4
Physics Opportunities with the FCC-hh Injectors
In this chapter we explore a few examples of physics opportunities using the
existing chain of accelerators at CERN, including potential upgrades. In this
context the LHC ring is also considered as a part of the injector system. The
objective is to find examples that constitute sensitive probes of New Physics
that ideally cannot be done elsewhere or can be done significantly better at
theCERN accelerator complex. Some of these physics opportunities may require a
more flexible injector complex with additional functionality than that just
needed to inject protons into the FCC-hh at the right energy, intensity and
bunch structure. Therefore it is timely to discuss these options concurrently
with the conceptual design of the FCC-hh injector system.Comment: 13 pages, chapter 5 in Physics at the FCC-hh, a 100 TeV pp collide
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